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As governor, Sarah Palin remained grounded in a recognizable American lifestyle.
AP Photo

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Fishing permit violations. A blue-collar husband who racked up a DUI citation as a 22-year-old. An unmarried teenage daughter who is pregnant and a nasty child custody battle involving a family member.

All of this, to one degree or another, has surfaced in recent days as a result of efforts to discredit or undermine Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. But these revelations may have the opposite effect: In one sense, they could reinforce how remarkably unremarkable she is.

So far — and it is hard to tell what the future may hold for Palin’s unexpected national candidacy — the travails of the Palin family probably seem awfully familiar to many average Americans. It is this averageness that makes her such a politically promising running mate for John McCain — and such a dangerous opponent for Democrats. Many voters will find it easy to identify with her family’s struggles — a significant advantage in an election where the voting calculus is so unusually and intensely personal.

Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden hardly come from blue-blood backgrounds; Biden, now famously, is an Irish-Catholic son of Scranton, Pa., and Obama was raised by a single mother. But the fact that Palin, even as a governor, remains grounded in a recognizable American lifestyle — warts and all — has not gone unnoticed among Republicans, as the first wave of opposition research has been unloaded on her.

“Authenticity is the most important characteristic for someone seeking public office,” said Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association. “Any news that comes out about her is not going to hurt her because it reinforces the point that she is authentically one of us.”

Unlike running mates from both parties, dating back decades, the Palin family isn't part of the moneyed elite or the governing class. Neither wife nor husband is the scion of a well-connected family. Sarah Palin attended a state school, and her brushes with the law are of the same nettlesome kind that drive recreational fishermen crazy in all 50 states.

“Look at the nature of this: small-town mayor, marrying the high school sweetheart — these are the kinds of things you’d see in a Budweiser commercial as opposed to an Amstel Light commercial,” said South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. “She wasn’t born of political pedigree, and people like that.”

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Even the governor’s own Trooper-gate scandal, in which Palin is alleged to have exerted undue pressure to fire a state trooper, is suffused with an element that many families can identify with: one sister stepping in on behalf of another in an acrimonious dispute with a brother-in-law.

Powerful media organizations are beginning to pour resources into this story, so much more damaging twists and turns may await. But assuming the accusations don’t grow more serious, it is of a considerably different nature as an abuse of power than the last Trooper-gate scandal to rock the political world — the one in which Bill Clinton was alleged to use his state troopers in Arkansas to procure women as sex partners. That wouldn’t excuse Palin’s actions, of course, but it would frame them in such a way that could limit the political damage.

Readers' Comments (3897)

Has anyone read this one on Todd Palin's shadow goverment. It appears he's invoking Executive Privilege in yet another Palin scandal. How many more scandals will there be? The two of them have absolutely know knowledge or regard for ethics or the law.

"These emails should be released to the public...after all Todd Palin has no standing to claim executive privilege. By including him in the email loop, the Palin administration has arguably breached any claim of executive privilege. "

McCain's campaign says it's not worried about the investigation. "The bottom line is Governor Palin has a proven record championing transparency in government and we are confident in that record," said McCain spokeswoman Maria Comella.

Senator Obama's great political fortunes return as once again during this election he is blessed by an opponent who turns out to be a nincompoop. Senator McCain shows his political prowess is equivalent to that of Allan Keys. Remember him the non-Illinois token minority freak show the Republican Party sent to prevent Obama’s election to the Senate? How’d that turn out GOP? And now McCain picks a token female to woo disgruntled Clinton supporters, revealing just how stupid and superficial he and other Republicans think those supporters are - somewhere George Carlin is begging to be brought back to life to tell just a few more jokes. Yes, she’s been a governor and mayor of the least-populated state -smaller than most US cities- and a tiny town -I think they now have a stoplight though- and she’s a moose hunter, a sports reporter and a beauty queen. She also a lifetime member of the NRA and chaired the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission -Cheney approves. A BS in journalism-communication from Idaho -very prestigious; clearly no other education is required. Fully qualified, you betch’a; to ruin Republican chances to keep the Presidency. She makes me yearn for Dan Quayle! Senator Joe Biden vs. Governor Sarah Palin, there’s a wartime VP debate for the century. President-Elect Obama might as well start selecting his Cabinet…Ding-dong, hello Mrs. Bush, I’m Michelle Obama, would you mind if I came in to measure the drapes, thanks.

Yeah, she got 114,697 (wow) votes from Alaskans - God Love'm – who keep sending Ted Stevens back to the Senate; I guess once he's in jail they'll pick some other criminal... unimpressive; Obama had nearly that many at INVESCO field! Running a REAL state is a challenge, especially if you've done it at least two years (she hasn’t yet). Alaska has only 670K citizens, and that’s only during the summer. This right-wing-nut has neither the education nor the experience to be competitive for selection as a Whitehouse Intern, much less a senior and permanent member of the National Security Council. She’s a great lady, but barely qualified to be a 2nd Lieutenant in our military much less one heartbeat away from being Commander-In-Chief. This political neophyte - a governor of a state that gets 80% of its revenues from oil (real tough balancing budgets there) has - in her less than 2 years in office - had to deal with only one crisis...Firing an honest state employee because he wouldn’t illegally terminate a state trooper that happened to be divorcing the Governor’s sister - now that’s great Republican experience - worthy of Monica Goodling - though at least that nitwit had a phony law degree! Do you really think McCain would have picked Miss Alaska if she was a man? REALLY?? All the Republican hypocrisy over being against affirmative action and McCain passes over many more imminently qualified men and women to pick a NRA-loving pro-life, nobody. That’s judgment we can trust (to ruin our country)!

You keep smiling and push this clown and his gimmick sidekick, I am going to do my upmost to make sure my children are protected by leadership that was picked democratically (IE Obama’s primary win) or by undeniable qualifications (IE Joe Biden’s preeminent national security resume). As for Mrs. “Mainstream,” I’ll pass, this isn’t a contest for “Ms Congeniality,” though she’s actually won that prestige, this is about the security of our nation during a time of WAR! Which would you pick to do your open-heart surgery, a well-educated doctor; or Mr. “most-like-me-an-you?” Duh.

POLITICO wrote: "Many voters will find it easy to identify with her family’s struggles — a significant advantage in an election where the voting calculus is so unusually and intensely personal."

I agree. Several Americans will identify with Palin. Especially women who work a career and are raising children of their own.

Palin has an unbelievable heart and passion about her. She is a mixture of Princess Diana, Mother Teresa and Geraldine Ferraro. Kudos to McCain for picking Palin!

I find it interesting how Obama's supporters were quick to attack, yet, they forgot how Obama's own mother did not get married until she was 3 months pregnant. They are quick to point fingers against "the One", but forget about the three fingers pointing right back at them.

When you have democrats who eat their own and attack their very own Clinton/Chelsea, what makes anyone think that they will reserve their vile hearts with regard to Palin's daughter. Democrats attacked their own women (Hillary / Chelsea), and we are not surprised how they are ready to attack more "white typical" women -- especially a typical white woman (Palin) who clings to her "guns and religion".

The Obama folks have no idea they are walking on thin ice with no solid foundation of their own.

Unremarkable is one thing. Family "issues" are one thing. But the Troopergate w/ it's suggestion of abuse of power? And her involvment in Ted Stevens's 527 group? And her flip/flopping on the Bridge to Nowhere? These are legitimate issues that smack of political corruption. These things do not endure her to the American people. They make her seem like just another sleezy politician!

I am a republican, life-long for that matter. I am deeply embarrased by the way McCain made this VP choice. A woman he met once for 15 minutes at a govenors meeting just before offering her the VP slot. A woman he now calls his partner and soulmate. This is getting weirder by the day, reminds me of Bush and Putin. McCain I am a woman and cannot vote for you.Your behavior is reckless and your judgement in doubt. I will have to vote for the Democrat this year I watched both of them on 60 minutes last sunday and I liked what I saw and heard. In your first real test of what you would do as president, you failed.

I could be way off... but I tend to think that Palin's warts are not going to affect the campaign's chances come November. Yes, people will scrutinize. Yes, the media will have a hey day. Yes, people will wonder. But at the end of the day, I think people will realize that this woman talks the talk AND walks the walk. The Palins, in many ways, are the quintessential, modern-day American family. I also think the majority of folks who are going to rip Palin apart are the folks who were staunchly backing Obama to begin with. Like I said, I could be very wrong here, but I tend to think that so long as Palin holds her own on the issues, that Mainstream Undecided Americans might embrace her as one of their own. I think people will look at all of the candidates and wonder, "Who would best blend with my family at our kitchen table for dinner?" My guess is that a lot of those folks would choose Palin. My heart goes out to Palin and her family for having to deal with the media frenzy. It's a private family matter and it makes me sad that the world thinks it's their business. Obama's response was spot on: this has nothing to do with Palin's abililty to serve as a potential veep, and it has nothing to do with her accomplishments as governor. Let's get back to the issues.

Remember the people behind obama, kerry, kennedy, biden, peloski, reid. gore now clinton, all losers when standing up for the USA. the only change any of the above believe in is tearing down this great nation AND TAX TAX TAX. McCain and Palin is going to change Washington. Can you imagine 2 god fearing Americans that aren't lawyers in charge. Hoorah Hoorah, Yippee Yippee Go USA USA-----Thank a Democrat in Nov for the high food and gasoline prices VOTE NO NO IN NOV

This may be an odd concept for you Republicans, but I want someone Remarkable being my president. I want someone who is the leader of the free world to be a lot smarter than me. After the last 8 years we see what an unremarkable person as president gets you.

I have read your posts before with some respect. I thought you were sharp. I now see you lack the judgement that J McC does when it comes to this VP selection. Nobody in their right mind can defend this pick

A lot of Americans would be able to see their own lives and difficulties in the Palin family story. I am sure she will draw in a very sympathetic and supportive electorate. She is a picture of strength and also adaptability. Her family is like many families and there is a lot of love there.

Another moose-eye ideological wacko. At least she appears to really practice her beliefs, unlike Bush, who alleges to be Christian, yet lies with such ease - (just one quick example- "Rumsfeld will stay" - days before firing him).

BUT, that is little consolation that she believes it - she wants to chose for YOU and ME. Yeah, let's have a journalism major be second in command. One who wants creationism taught, but not sex education.

Does anyone believe McCain knew before he picked her? He doesn't even know Sarah. Yeah, let's talk about judgment.

Shouldn't we want the best, the brightest, the best educated to lead the free world? McCain and Palin are barely mediocre.